Activities 2013

Dates of meetings and other activities are added to this page as arrangements are finalised. On most occasions a brief summary of the event is added after completion. Exhibitions, seminars, open days etc in which members may be interested are listed in our monthly newsletter. Frequently, some members attend & the more unusual of these are included.

This meeting took the form of a discussion/problem solving workshop in which we pool our knowledge and discoveries to help each other with problems etc in Family History.

Saturday 13th - Bi-Annual Seminar

"FOLLOWING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS" BI-ANNUAL SEMINAR - We held our Bi-Annual Family History Seminar on Saturday 13th April 2013 in the Springwood Presbyterian Church Hall, at 9.00 am - 4.00 pm. Lunch and morning tea will be catered and the cost was $30 a head. The closing date for bookings was Monday 8th April 2013 by posting a cheque to PO Box 97 Springwood 2777, paying at the March monthly meeting or to the Volunteers at Springwood Library on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during March.

Speakers included Alan and Joy Murrin, John Cann from State Records and Graham Hunt.

There was a good attendance and it was considered to be a most successful day. Members and others are looking forward to our next Seminar in 2015

Yvonne Stewart from the Benevolent Society was our last speaker
for the year and she gave a wonderful talk on the history of the Society from
its inception in 1813 and how relevant the Society is in today's world.

At the Society's last meeting the Treasurer, Ian Kendall, spoke to the
members regarding the current finances of the Society and the need to
increase membership fees from $25-$30.00. As set out in our Constitution,
to increase the fees, Ian sought a Motion from the members that the
proposed increase be put before the members at our AGM. It is intended that
the fees be increased from the current $25.00 to $30.00 for single
membership and $30.00 to $40.00 per couple. This Motion was duly carried
so members will be voting at today's AGM whether an increase in
membership fees is agreed.

*Publishing: Book - "Life in the Blue Mountains during WW2"

As mentioned in the October Newsletter, Joan Edwards is writing a
book entitled "Life in the Blue Mountains during WW2", all sales and
profits of which Joan has kindly donated to the Society. To help with the
research and publishing of this book, a grant was submitted to the RAHS
(Royal Australian Historical Society). In 2012 the Society was fortunate to
be granted an Award from the RAHS for this purpose in the amount of
$1,200.00.

After much debate at a number of committee meetings this year, as to
whether the Society wished to go ahead with contributing towards the
publication of the book, it was eventually decided the Society would
contribute $2,800.00 plus the RAHS Grant of $1,200.00 for the printing. It
must be stressed here, that while the book is being written by Joan the
book belongs to the Society as publisher but the copyright belongs to Joan
as the author and owner of the work. As with all publications by the Society
eg the Wood Coffill publication, Wood Coffill still own the copyright even
though the Society published it and retained all sales and profits.

Don't forget our Christmas lunch, to be held on Friday 13th December 2013.

Christmas Party:

Could any member who has not paid for the Christmas Party please see Ian Kendall today to finalise payment. A reminder that the Christmas Party is being held at the Lawson Hotel which is just across the road from Lawson Station on Friday the 13th December 2013. The time for the lunch is 12.00 for 12.30pm.

Raffle:

Tickets for the raffle of a painting donated by Pat Carruthers will be on sale today, at the Society's stall and at the Christmas Party. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Christmas Party.

November Stall:

A reminder the Society's stall will be held in the grounds of Springwood Presbyterian Church on Friday, 29th November, 2013 from 9.00am to 12.30pm. Could those members who have kindly offered to supply craft items, jams, pickles, cakes, plants and books bring them to the Church at around 8.30am on the day already priced. A reminder that cooked items need to have ingredients listed. A big "thank you" to those supporting the stall. A few volunteers may be needed to help on the day, please ring Pauline Gibson 47544495 if you would like to volunteer.

There is no committee meeting in December

Convict Interests The Blue Mountains Family History Society has begun compiling a list of Convict Ancestors, Pioneers and Interests of our Members. Many of our members have quite a few Convict Ancestors whilst others are researching groups of Convicts or particular Convict Ships. This list, along with details of the member involved is available at the Family History Centre in Springwood Library in a loose-leaf folder.

This list is now also available progressively on this website and will be found here. Convict Interests